We all know that the corrections system can be an
extremely dangerous place to be and there are many measures taken to ensure
that everyone is kept safe (for the most part) and we can all agree that the
guards that run these prisons are all equipped to the teeth, but is it
necessary? We have seen the videos where alternate forms of weapons are used to
incapacitate suspects and criminals such as the rubber grenade, bean bag round,
and the taser. The videos are all over the internet of the college student that
screamed “Don’t tase me bro!!!! Most of the instances that are sensationalized
are in the public domain. Most people agree that tasers can be dangerous. There
have been a small number of reports of taser related deaths and the question
that remains is, should tasers be used in prison?
The
taser is a small hand held weapon that can send almost 50, 000 volts of
electricity through the body and incapacitate a normal person almost instantly.
There are two types of tasers that are hand held. There are the pronged dart
tasers, which are shot and pierce skin
and there is a taser that is used as a stun gun that does not pierce skin and
makes contact on the surface of skin. Tasers have become one of two things: a
joke like in the hangover or a serious weapon that people do not enjoy. “There
have been 14 taser related deaths” says Erin Hicks in his article titled TASERs
in prison: A good idea? There are obviously problems with the
taser and not everyone takes to the taser. I understand that people have died
but most people do not take to bullets very well either. The Taser is designed
to incapacitate those who are violent and resistant to arrest, and in prison
this would not be a problem. For the most part prison is for violent offenders.
There is a positive side and a negative side to using tasers in prisons. Don Bjoring, a
retired police officer in Orange County California argued on the behalf of
using tasers in prison facilities. Most police officers will agree that there
is no such thing as excessive force with a taser. One shot gives officers or
guards the ability to cuff and control whoever they need to control. “Granted
you abuse it and shoot it 11 times, and then it is excessive force.” (Hicks)
Another reason why tasers could be used in prisons is the fact that they are
not meant to be lethal and a large majority of the time they are not. They are
taught to be a weapon that has a result of order and cooperation through short
term pain. Cons of using tasers in prisons are pretty cut and dry. Tasers have
been known to break down skin tissue which can lead to heart problems. Tasers
have been lethal in the past which paints a very negative picture for the
general publ
I can say from indirect experience that tasers would
probably be a good idea to use in prisons because my father is in law
enforcement and their taser policy is extremely strict. They are not allowed to
carry tasers unless they have been trained with that weapon and if they have
been shot by it.
What do you think? Is
prison an appropriate place for the use of tasers?
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